The little girl hadn’t spoken since the night her mother was found on the kitchen floor! Then the court dog lowered his head-and she whispered one sentence toward the defense table…

smooth it too quickly. The drawing had been made in crayon, the colors pressed hard enough to leave wax ridges. A small blue figure crouched under a brown table. A larger black figure stood nearby with red marks scribbled around both hands. On the floor, a jagged shape lay in pieces.

Ava did not show the jury immediately. She looked at Lily.

“Did you continue reading …